Armstrong TeasdaleThe firm hired Tracey S Truitt as partner and Kelley A Schnieders as of counsel in its Kansas City office. Both practitioners advise on patent matters, specialising in food and healthcare industries, and were formerly with Polsinelli.

Brinks Gilson & LioneThe firm has relocated to a new downtown Tampa office at 401 East Jackson Street, in the heart of the middle District of Florida. The firm said it is seeking approval for an office in Shenzhen, China. Last year it hired four IP practitioners in Florida.

Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott Patent attorneys Thomas M Haas and John W Ryan have joined Eckert Seamans’ IP practice in Washington. Both practitioners specialise in industries such as life sciences and chemicals. Haas was previously a patent examiner at the USPTO.

FisherBroylesLouis Wagner has joined this firm as partner in its IP department. Wagner is a patent attorney with a technical background in chemistry, and was previously with Hahn Loeser & Parks. He is based in Cleveland.

Greenspoon Marder The firm welcomed IP litigators Anton N Handal, Gabriel Hedrick and Lauren Kane in its relatively new IP department, which was launched in October 2016. Handal joined as partner, while Hedrick and Kane joined as senior counsel and attorney respectively. All three practitioners joined from boutique firm Handal & Associates and will be based in San Diego.

Mintz Levin This firm further strengthened its IP practice with the hire of patent attorney Alexander Trimble as a member in its San Francisco office. Trimble, who joined from Kilpatrick Townsend, advises on chemical and pharmaceutical patents. Earlier in the year the firm welcomed former Dechert IP lawyers Stephen J Akerley, Phil Ducker and Adrian Kwan.

Troutman SandersIP litigator Michael Heafey joined the firm as partner in its IP department in the San Francisco office. Heafey was previously partner at King & Spalding. He is particularly known for advising clients in the electronics industry.